Women’s Lacrosse: Four Long Island players among incoming class at Binghamton

The Binghamton women’s lacrosse program announced its incoming class for the 2012-13 academic year, as released by head coach Tony Zostant. The Bearcats will welcome nine freshmen and one transfer to the team for fall practice which begins this week.

“My staff and I are very excited to have these ten outstanding student-athletes as our newest incoming class,” head coach Tony Zostant said. “They each bring a variety of skills that I envision will have an immediate impact on our program. In combination with our returning players, I believe these student-athletes will provide a strong future for Binghamton lacrosse and will help elevate our program to the highest level.”

Julide Giray (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge) is a four-year letterwinner and captained her team to the Suffolk County Class B Championship in 2011. She was a three-time All-League selection earning Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors during her career. Giray was selected to US Lacrosse All-Academic Team twice and is a member of the National and German Honor Societies.

Katherine Longo (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) captained her team during her senior year. She is a four-year letterwinner at the defensemen position, who also competed in soccer and indoor track.

Erin McNulty (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) is a five-year letterwinner who was named a captain her senior year. She was named Defensive Player of the Year her junior season and was honored by her team as its MVP following the 2012 campaign. McNulty was ranked the No. 4 goalie in the country by ESPN.com and No. 37 player overall. She is a scholar-athlete who earned All-Division and All-Country honors. A dynamic athlete, McNulty was also an all-conference basketball and soccer player.

Kelsey Michele (Albany, N.Y./Guilderland) earned three letters during her career helping her team reach three straight Section II finals, winning a championship in 2010. She was a member of the 2011 US Lacrosse Women’s Division National Tournament Team and was named to the US Lacrosse All-Academic Team in 2012. Michele earned second team Suburban Council honors as a senior and also competed in basketball and field hockey. She was selected to the New York State All-State field hockey team in 2011 and was a three-time all-conference nominee.

Sophia Racciatti (Syracuse, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) is a four-year letterwinner at the attack position. During her career Racciatti netted 117 goals and handed out 32 assists for a total of 149 points. She helped lead her team to a New York State Class C title in 2011 and a 20-2 record and a state semifinal appearance in 2012. Racciatti also competed in volleyball.

Alexandra Rodgers (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin) is a two-time captain and five year letterwinner. She was a two-time All-Conference selection and three-time All-County honoree. Rodgers set career totals of 252 goals, 76 assists and 328 points from her midfield position, all of which are school records. She was named to the US Lacrosse All-Academic Team and is a member of the National Honor Society. She also competed in soccer and has two brothers (Zachary and Matthew) who play Division I lacrosse at Ohio State and Villanova.

Marissa Rose (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) is a member of the 2012 New York State Class A Champions, who went 20-1. She won two letters at the attack position while playing for powerhouse West Genessee who finished 2012 ranked No. 8 in the nation. She is a member of the National Honor Society and also competed in soccer.

Alexandra Szelewski (Syracuse, N.Y./Bishop Ludden) is a five-year letterwinner and two-time team captain. She was an All-League honorable mention selection at the midfield position. Szelewski led her team in draw controls and played in every high school game since eighth grade. She was also a five-year letterwinner in soccer and a state qualifier in indoor track. Szelewski is a member of the National Honor Society.

Angela Vespa (Watertown/Immaculate Heart/Onondaga CC) is a four-year letterwinner and was named to the High School All-North First Team. A three-time Frontier League All-Star, she led her team in points all four years of high school. While at Onondaga CC she was a NJCAA All-American after leading the nation in assists and finishing fourth in points (54 goals, 51 assists). This past season Vespa led Onondaga CC to the NJCAA National Championship where she was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Jenna Vinci (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge) is a three-year letterwinner who helped lead her team to a Suffolk County Championship in 2011. She finished her career with 104 goals and 80 assists for a total of 184 points. Vinci, a two-time Long Island All-Division selection, helped her team achieve a No. 20 national ranking following the 2012 season.

Binghamton finished 2012 with a 3-13 record and lost just four seniors to graduation. In addition to the firepower of the incoming class, the Bearcats return two of their top-three point scorers from 2011 in seniors Kimberly McGeever and Katherine Hunsberger.